A poetic assessment of the police stop of Sandra Bland. @CeLillianneGreen #SandraBland #StayInYourLane
STAY IN YOUR LANE –
CeLillianne Green Copyright © 2015
Before he stops you
He follows your car to watch you
You change lanes in order for him to pass you by
Instead, he stops your car. You don’t know why
No turn signal before changing lanes
In disbelief, you explain
It sounds to him like you complain
License and registration
He can sense your aggravation
There is something about your tone
You speak with an air he does not condone
He can choose to issue a warning, a citation
He chooses to lower your uppity vibration
He tells you to stop smoking
Is he serious or is he joking?
You think he’s gone too far
Smoking is clearly legal in your car
You dare to pose the question
Quickly, you learn it was not a joke or a suggestion
Whatever he says, he expects you to comply
Do not look him in the eye
Total deference, utmost respect
Bow down, genuflect
He’s in charge. He’s the cop
He told you to stop
Toward him, you should appear to be absolutely polite
After all, he appears to be absolutely White
You’re a woman and you’re Black
Do not speak. Do not talk back
He wears a uniform.
He wears a badge.
He will taser you. Do not make him mad
But you do. You make him mad.
He thinks you’ve gone too far
Opens the door to your car
He will not allow you to film him with a phone
You’re going to jail. You’re not going home.
He moves you roadside, out of “Dash Cam” view
No video of what he does to you
Sounds of struggle can be heard
And of course, there are the words
His back-up is on the way
You’re on the ground. In handcuffs, you’ll stay.
The ground is to remind you of your place
Jail will be your next space
Three days in jail and you tragically die
Of course, it would not have happened if he passed you by
But, he had to stop you to make it plain
He is in charge. Stay in your lane.